Redditch, UK (July 20, 2018)—UK live-sound powerhouse SSE Audio Group has acquired London-based SR provider Capital Sound Hire, Ltd. The move comes following a strategic partnership between the companies that began earlier this year.
Let by founder/managing director Keith Davis, Capital Sound has provided audio for high-profile tours and festivals for more than 35 years, most recently garnering headlines for providing over 300 Martin Audio loudspeakers for Roger Waters’ appearance at London’s BST Festival. The company’s inventory also includes systems from d&b audiotechnik, Meyer Sound and Outline.
Capital Sound will continue to operate as a separate brand, serving its own client base as it sees fit, but will be able to access SSE’s resources and inventory, which includes L-Acoustics and d&b audiotechnik systems and reportedly the largest rental stock of digital mixing consoles in the U.K.
For SSE Audio Group, the move is the latest in a string of acquisitions that began with taking on London sound reinforcement company Canegreen in 2008, followed by the purchase of Manchester-based audio provider Wigwam in 2013. That history, however, is expected to help ease the transition as Capitol comes under SSE’s wing, as SSE Audio Group MD John Penn explained, “We now have a clear template for joining forces with other leading players in the industry. With Wigwam, we were particularly keen to maintain its distinctive brand, while providing it with backup and support, and that is what we have done.”
Retaining Capital’s culture and methods was key to Davis’s decision to explore acquisition, he said: “SSE’s successful takeover of Wigwam has shown that they will look after the staff and the brand, and continue to let the business grow and flourish—which is really important to me and my lifetime’s work.”
Discussions for the acquisition began earlier this year, said Davis. “We approached John Penn at SSE at the beginning of the year to assist us on a project that required a larger pool of equipment, knowing that we could trust SSE not to nick the gig. Through projects like this, we were able to access a larger pool of equipment and talent, and we could offer clients options that were unavailable to us on our own.
“This has worked out so well that, after many conversations, I asked John if they would be interested in purchasing Capital Sound. I’m not getting any younger and I’ve been wondering about the long term future for Capital for some years. After a lot of soul searching, I realized that SSE was the best bet.”
Davis will remain as a consultant to the Group, while Paul Timmins, currently Capital Sound’s Operations and Development Director, will continue with the day to day management of Capital.
Capital Sound • https://capital-sound.co.uk
SSE Audio Group • https://www.sseaudiogroup.com
